Short films based on poetry

“Life” is added to the series!

Production has begun on the fourth film in the Poetry In Picture Series! “Life” (1894) by Edith Wharton is a perfect poem for the series as it draws on connections to art, symmetry, sculpture and a first-century BCE Roman poet. In the poem Wharton writes: “And one, to wake the mirth in Lesbia’s gaze, / Carves it apace in toys fantastical.” Lesbia was the nickname Catullus, the ancient Roman poet, gave to his lover Clodia. He wrote numerous poems about her or to her. Most of these poems were full of his feelings of desire or betrayal.

Below is the filmmaker sculpting a bust of Catullus.

In the film a piece of clay morphs into different shapes and images visually interpreting the poem. The clay is filmed in front of a green screen so that during the editing process various images and footage can be juxtaposed with each sculpture to further enhance “Life” visually.